So, as I was flitting around, trying to capture all this cuteness, I stopped for a minute, put my camera down (yeah....my camera with my prime lens and my speedlight attached on top) gently on the stair while I moved a table and when I turned back, said camera (with the prime lens and the v.e.r.y. heavy speedlight attached) was being waved wildly in the air. By MILANA !!!!

That was sort of the sound that bolted forth from me (with zero self-control on my part). Sounded something like

MIIILLLAAAAAAANNNNAAA !!!!!!!!

and even though I instantly regretted my knee-jerk reaction...

she

didn't

drop

it!

She just froze.

(Oh, did I mention she was standing on a marble floor.

Yeah!)

Ok, back to more cuteness (and pinkness).

That's my little corner of the world.Please share with us what your “Today” is like in your part of the world and link up with Communal Global!

(For anyone who may be new visiting - welcome - and this is my daughter Dahlia.)

This weeks guest judge:Charmaine from Just bits & Pieces.This weeks challenge: Black and White.The challenge: The challenge will be based around your children. Take or find a photo of your baby (or kid... or puppy... or kitty) in a black and white photo.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

What an exciting week. The long road to China finally came true and Lisa and Pat have their Reagan.

And I guess because all the pictures posted of their "Gotcha moment" were taken in the very same room as the room where I first laid eyes on our first daughter, Dahlia - my mind is tripping back to November 2004 when this little darlin' made me so happy.

Dahlia, age 2 ( just 6 months after arriving home) in her Dedication (Baptism) dress.

And Dahlia today. I still pinch myself that I get to be her Mom!

(These pictures, like a few that I posted earlier this week, were suppose to be shot in RAW but my camera slipped to the lowest grade of JPEG and I wasn't aware. I thought I'd have to dump the whole shoot but I just love how I captured her mood that day so I kept them and did some fiddling. )

If you haven't already popped over to Lisa's site (and I'd be surprised if anyone reading this hasn't yet) do so and catch her with baby Reagan in her arms.

I'm posting this picture "Today" because it reminds me of beginnings. These are Dahlia and Milana's referral pictures . Dahlia (on the left) in Sept 2004 and Milana in Aug 2009. And these were the little shoesies they wore when we got them home. (One day I'll post the little shoes they were wearing when we received them. I'll need a box of kleenex for that one.)

And the reason for today's theme is to celebrate my friend Lisa's Gotcha Day (yesterday). She received her little Reagan in the very same room as we did for Dahlia - in Changsha, Hunan.

Oh the memories - life-changing ones.

And so...this is today!

We don't go to the park everyday - but we sure do love it that our park is only a few steps away, just around the corner. Dahlia is learning to rollerskate there. (And yes, her bike is ridiculously small.) There are tennis courts, a soccer field, playground and just some really pretty scenery.

And the best part - it's like our own private park. There's hardly anyone there most of the time. (Gee, that sounds weird...like I don't like people or something....hmmmmm......I'll have to give that some thought.)

It was getting dark and though I only shoot in RAW now, for some reason, my camera slipped into JPEG lowest quality so I'm surprised these even look half-way decent.Why yes...it's "Miss Happiest when Air-bourne" having a merry moment!I layed on the ground for this shot. And then my darlings jump on me.

I didn't get a shot of that though. haha

That's my little corner of the world.Please share with us what your “Today” is like in your part of the world and link up with Communal Global!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

This is a very cool chair in the furnishings from the decades exhibit.I think Dahlia and I stared at it for about 5 minutes.

Then we came upon these geometrically designed boxes - Dahlia immediately layed on the floor (we're in a public art gallery, people) and said"Hey Mom, take this shot!" And she just lay there till I did. (As quickly as possible - thus the blur - 'cause we were in a public art gallery, people!!!)

She somehow knew she would be the perfect accent to this design. Hmmm......

This is Lisa's last Black and White Wednesday before she leaves for China to bring little Reagan home. I can almost not bear the excitement that I know they are feeling to be finally making this dream a reality. Bon voyage my dear friend!!!!

Now, back to the gallery.We saw some amazingly beautiful glassware and glass sculptures.

This piece (above and below) just took my breath away. It's from the art deco period and art deco is my absolute favorite design style. I could eat it I love everything about it.(Yeah, that much!)

So, since I had been taking all sorts of pictures in all the exhibits I assumed the Glass exhibit was no different. Wrong! A security guard came towards us stating "no pictures in this exhibit" and of course I put my camera away.

BUT.....I hadn't taken a picture of this little beauty and I was salivating (even lusting) after it.So, while Dahlia stood watch (I know - I'm the recipient of the Mother of the year award for that one) I grabbed my camera (the big one folks) and tried to steady myself to grab a shot.I felt like I was stealing the thing, my hands were shaking so much. This shot was so blurry (like I said - guilt ridden capture) but I was able to doctor it up in Photoshop and...well............ain't she purdy!!!!

And speaking of pretty..........what do you suppose these pretty little eyes are saying?I shudder to even think!It can't be "come hither", please tell me it's not!!!

Oh, whew...thank you for your kindness (or for lying to me!).

Hope you enjoyed our little visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. We're definately going back again, in fact, very soon - there's just so much to see.

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Hi, I'm Wanda. I am a happy woman, wife to Danny for...oh....lots a years and finally Mom to THE most adorable little girl from Hunan, China - Dahlia. And now we have been blessed again with another daughter, Milana, from Zhejiang, China. (The 2 best things I've ever done!)
We live in the Montreal area. After a loooonnngg wait for Dahlia's little sister Milana (pronounced - Mee-lana, like banana), we finally brought her home in August 2009. Dahlia came to us in Nov 2004 (at 20 months of age)and a year later we began the application for another baby - at the time the waiting period was around 8 months. Almost 4 years later (say what!?!)we, at last, brought Milana home.
This began as the story of our journey to bring Milana home and life with her big sister, Dahlia. It now continues as we live as a family of four!

God.
My (growing) family.
Hangin' out with my girlies.
My wonderful friends (you know who you are!).
To laugh (out loud and a lot!).
Music.
Painting. Hugs.
Long chats with my buds.
My garden.
To read (ha...when I can!).
Sunshine.
Spring, Spring and more Spring.
Building things.
Cooking.
Decorating.
Parties (ahem).
The internet.
Life.
Movies. A.I.
Dancing with the stars.
So you think you can dance.
Travel. Umm..did I say laughing my head off.
Oh Gee...everything actually!!